There's officially two days left until we're on our way to Germany. I have yet to pack, but it's okay. I have so much adrenaline and nervous energy running through my veins it'll only take me 30mins max. This trip still doesn't feel real. Like who goes to Europe for six weeks? US, apparently.
I keep getting asked "why Germany?", "why are you studying abroad?", "how are you not scared to leave America?" etc. and now everyone will finally get their answers. First of all, why not? Earth is so beautiful I cannot imagine staying in the US, yet alone Texas, my entire life. I want to explore this majestical land we live upon and what better way to do it than in Europe where the culture and architechtural roots run so deep. Plus I wanna be a Veterinarian and this program just gave me a bigger incentive to say "peace out America". Honestly, I've heard so much about Euro Vet med and it'll be awesome to learn about it..in Europe.
I'm trying to keep my expectations at a minimum because there are a variety of things that can go wrong when traveling abroad, but who am i kidding? It's Europe, my expectations couldn't be any higher. I want to see the touristy places of course, but i mainly want to live like a local. I want to dive right into the cultural customs and hit up all the funky local spots. I've been working on my German, I'm still getting it confused with my Spanish, but hopefully I can convince at least ONE person that I'm from Germany. I'm ready for everything Europe has to offer. From the food, to the museums, to the drinks, i'm ready for it all. The only thing I'm weary about is figuring out the trains, getting lost, and getting my cards/passport stolen. Also, the weather. I love to be prepared in terms of clothing and i basically feel like I have no idea what to expect or wear.
All things aside, this trip will probably be the highlight of my 20s, maybe even my life, who knows. I'm ready to dive into this Eurotrip and see it all. I know that I probably will change after this trip, at least my outlook on life will, but it'll be a welcoming change. BIS FOLGENDES MAL, xoxo.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Closed Suitcase, Open Mind
Excited would be an understatement, but prepared is far from accurate as well. I have packed, unpacked, and repacked twice already. The tasks to complete before departing are dwindling down, and Europe is just around the corner. While I have been looking forward to our travels for some time, it definitely approached rather quickly. I am most ready to be engulfed in a unique culture with like minded and driven individuals. I have worked diligently to be able to take part in this program and am anxiously awaiting Wednesday's departure!
I have a rich German heritage that has greatly driven my desire to be part of this program. My grandparents still tell stories of their time in Germany before migrating to America. I have family friends in the country that have given me a small taste of their lifestyle when visiting my family in Texas. Spending time in Germany has been on my bucket list for quite some time, and this program appeared to be the perfect experience. My passion for traveling, medicine, and my German heritage are all wrapped up into one incredible opportunity.
Throughout this study abroad program, I will strive to remain extremely open minded. I expect to have my views of the world expanded and molded. I hope to pick up a little of the German language while abroad and expect to make great friends as well. I have traveled before and am not so nervous about the logistical aspects of the program. However, I do have a slight anxiety that I will unknowingly do or say something that is offensive to our host culture. I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and would absolutely hate to unintentionally offend anyone I encounter. Nevertheless, I will embrace this experience with a full heart and longing to learn.
I have a rich German heritage that has greatly driven my desire to be part of this program. My grandparents still tell stories of their time in Germany before migrating to America. I have family friends in the country that have given me a small taste of their lifestyle when visiting my family in Texas. Spending time in Germany has been on my bucket list for quite some time, and this program appeared to be the perfect experience. My passion for traveling, medicine, and my German heritage are all wrapped up into one incredible opportunity.
Throughout this study abroad program, I will strive to remain extremely open minded. I expect to have my views of the world expanded and molded. I hope to pick up a little of the German language while abroad and expect to make great friends as well. I have traveled before and am not so nervous about the logistical aspects of the program. However, I do have a slight anxiety that I will unknowingly do or say something that is offensive to our host culture. I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and would absolutely hate to unintentionally offend anyone I encounter. Nevertheless, I will embrace this experience with a full heart and longing to learn.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
From Austin to Deutschland
Hostels, Pimsleur German, Thalys train bookings, Eurorail passes, gifts for host families, airplane tickets, and tuition--some of the preparations for our History of Medicine program in Germany. This has been challenging; I feel as if my bank account is being drained by the minute. No one ever said that a study abroad program would be cheap. No one ever said that the preparations would be easy. No one ever said that everything would go as planned. However, this is the experience. Everything will fall into place.
As a former South Korean citizen, I am no stranger to foreign travel. As a little boy, I traveled back and forth between the U.S. and South Korea. However, I have never set foot in Europe. Many new adventures await: the sights, the people, the culture, the food. I joined the History of Medicine program both for the opportunity to travel to Europe and the opportunity to study in a country that excels in medicine. Fortunately, not all will be unfamiliar. Sean, a fellow classmate, and I attended middle school, high school, and now, Texas A&M together. In addition, my aunt and cousins from Germany will be nearby in Cologne to help and visit me as needed. Despite my anxiety exploring a foreign culture, I will have the support from friends, family, and program coordinators to find a rewarding experience in Europe.
I expect to learn a great deal about the German culture and the history of medicine in Europe. I expect to drink lots of tasty and authentic food/beer (mainly beer). I expect to make new friends and life-long memories. Other than that, I am trying my best to be open-minded. My natural tendency is to be punctual to absolutely everything and stay on schedule. When events do not go as planned, I can get annoyed. Going into this program, I am trying my best to accept that not everything will go smoothly. Besides, I finally get to cross off something on my bucket list: going to Switzerland!
My main anxieties are having my passport/credit card/money stolen or lost, my host family (will they like me??), and getting lost in a foreign country. To help me along, I have picked up some German through Pimsleur (which will serve me well in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany), and I will be taking extra caution to make sure everyone in the program stays safe. I believe despite the risks and anxiety, I am ready to step out of my comfort zone and experience a life-changing experience.
From my brief interactions with my classmates, everyone seems very kind and willing to help. I'm excited to learn everyone's names, get to know the people on this trip, and travel together. Also, how amazing would it be if Germany won the World Cup this year?? If they lose, they might riot, which would be awkward. Or in the extremely unlikely case, what if Germany and the U.S. played against each other? Well, until then: BTHO Belgium and BTHO Algeria (only the soccer teams of course)!
Edward Ji '15
As a former South Korean citizen, I am no stranger to foreign travel. As a little boy, I traveled back and forth between the U.S. and South Korea. However, I have never set foot in Europe. Many new adventures await: the sights, the people, the culture, the food. I joined the History of Medicine program both for the opportunity to travel to Europe and the opportunity to study in a country that excels in medicine. Fortunately, not all will be unfamiliar. Sean, a fellow classmate, and I attended middle school, high school, and now, Texas A&M together. In addition, my aunt and cousins from Germany will be nearby in Cologne to help and visit me as needed. Despite my anxiety exploring a foreign culture, I will have the support from friends, family, and program coordinators to find a rewarding experience in Europe.
I expect to learn a great deal about the German culture and the history of medicine in Europe. I expect to drink lots of tasty and authentic food/beer (mainly beer). I expect to make new friends and life-long memories. Other than that, I am trying my best to be open-minded. My natural tendency is to be punctual to absolutely everything and stay on schedule. When events do not go as planned, I can get annoyed. Going into this program, I am trying my best to accept that not everything will go smoothly. Besides, I finally get to cross off something on my bucket list: going to Switzerland!
My main anxieties are having my passport/credit card/money stolen or lost, my host family (will they like me??), and getting lost in a foreign country. To help me along, I have picked up some German through Pimsleur (which will serve me well in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany), and I will be taking extra caution to make sure everyone in the program stays safe. I believe despite the risks and anxiety, I am ready to step out of my comfort zone and experience a life-changing experience.
From my brief interactions with my classmates, everyone seems very kind and willing to help. I'm excited to learn everyone's names, get to know the people on this trip, and travel together. Also, how amazing would it be if Germany won the World Cup this year?? If they lose, they might riot, which would be awkward. Or in the extremely unlikely case, what if Germany and the U.S. played against each other? Well, until then: BTHO Belgium and BTHO Algeria (only the soccer teams of course)!
Edward Ji '15
Around the Corner
First off I'm crazy excited! I know I won't be sleeping the night before the program starts. I'm happy that most of this trip is planned for us, and done by people who have experience and know the better things to do. I don't think I could handle planning the whole thing on my own; just planning 3 weekends is turning out to be a job itself.
I joined the program because I was raised very conservatively and very sheltered. Going to college was a culture shock itself to me and I realized that I don't like viewing the world from one specific angle when there are so many others out there. That's the biggest thing I want to learn from this experience- another view on life. Secondly whenever school is in session I feel like I'm always doing just that...school. I do nottt get to take the time to be with friends and keep in touch like I want to because, unfortunately, I'm always studying. I'm looking forward to going on the biggest adventure I've had so far and being able to spend some time doing things I really enjoy.
Of course I'm anxious about my family. I want them to like me and hope we become close. I'm nervous that I may do something completely socially acceptable in the US and yet totally offensive in Germany. I hope that doesn't happen. I've read some to try and prevent it but you just don't know what you don't know and it is something that could definitely happen. I'm not anxious about much else except for maybe flying that far. The longest plane ride I've been on was 3 hours and cabin fever sets in the last stretch of those flights. I can only imagine how bad it will be being in a plane for 10 hours.
I know I'm going to miss my friends and family back in the states alot,but at the same time I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone else who will be stepping out of their comfort zone with me.
I joined the program because I was raised very conservatively and very sheltered. Going to college was a culture shock itself to me and I realized that I don't like viewing the world from one specific angle when there are so many others out there. That's the biggest thing I want to learn from this experience- another view on life. Secondly whenever school is in session I feel like I'm always doing just that...school. I do nottt get to take the time to be with friends and keep in touch like I want to because, unfortunately, I'm always studying. I'm looking forward to going on the biggest adventure I've had so far and being able to spend some time doing things I really enjoy.
Of course I'm anxious about my family. I want them to like me and hope we become close. I'm nervous that I may do something completely socially acceptable in the US and yet totally offensive in Germany. I hope that doesn't happen. I've read some to try and prevent it but you just don't know what you don't know and it is something that could definitely happen. I'm not anxious about much else except for maybe flying that far. The longest plane ride I've been on was 3 hours and cabin fever sets in the last stretch of those flights. I can only imagine how bad it will be being in a plane for 10 hours.
I know I'm going to miss my friends and family back in the states alot,but at the same time I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone else who will be stepping out of their comfort zone with me.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Germany Bound
There's a little bit more than a week left before the trip starts and I find myself making a lot of lists. The planning for this program seems to consume my thoughts more than the trip itself honestly. This will be my first time to Europe and I really want it to be eye opening. Of course the sites will be unreal and the food will be amazing, but I'm really looking forward to this trip giving me a different perspective on the world, life, people.
I've visited a lot a of places, mostly in the Gulf Coast, and I have never stayed long enough to experience how the people there live. I've never had enough interactions to get a glimpse of what it is like to be there everyday. I think that aspect of this trip is what I'm most excited about and interested in. Since April I've read about Germany quite a bit, but I'm sure nothing will compare to hearing about it through personal stories. I would hope for my host family and I to become rather close, seeing as I don't refrain from asking questions. But in saying that I am nervous that my family won't be what I anticipate.
I'm trying to be open minded. To not have expectations. Because to be truthful I have no idea what to expect. Not just about my temporary family but the program as a whole. I think I'm going to enjoy only having a somewhat planned itinerary. That way it's still a relaxed, go with the flow kind of trip. Because although I'm a super chill person, I plan out almost everything. Hence the lists.
I can't wait to get to know everyone on the trip! And I'm hoping July doesn't fly by as fast as the begining of this summer seems to be doing.
I've visited a lot a of places, mostly in the Gulf Coast, and I have never stayed long enough to experience how the people there live. I've never had enough interactions to get a glimpse of what it is like to be there everyday. I think that aspect of this trip is what I'm most excited about and interested in. Since April I've read about Germany quite a bit, but I'm sure nothing will compare to hearing about it through personal stories. I would hope for my host family and I to become rather close, seeing as I don't refrain from asking questions. But in saying that I am nervous that my family won't be what I anticipate.
I'm trying to be open minded. To not have expectations. Because to be truthful I have no idea what to expect. Not just about my temporary family but the program as a whole. I think I'm going to enjoy only having a somewhat planned itinerary. That way it's still a relaxed, go with the flow kind of trip. Because although I'm a super chill person, I plan out almost everything. Hence the lists.
I can't wait to get to know everyone on the trip! And I'm hoping July doesn't fly by as fast as the begining of this summer seems to be doing.
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